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Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
2nd Heritage Conf. continues discussions on Western travel literature
Economic Conditions Through Western Travel Literature In the session titled 'Economic Conditions Through Western Travel Literature', moderated by Dr Mani Bounama, Dr Mohammed Al Mansouri spoke about the profound transformations in the Trucial States due to the entry of foreign oil companies in the mid-20th century, and the resulting documentation. Majid Shubar highlighted the role of European travellers and researchers in exploring the Arab world across centuries. Aisha Al Hussan reviewed aspects of Emirati cultural heritage as depicted in Western writings, while Dr Hamad bin Seray added that British officials recorded everything they witnessed during their administration of the region. Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers In the session 'Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers', Dr Said Al Masri stressed that many European records were based on orientalist assumptions. Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Seddiqi, speaking via Zoom, presented a paper on 'The Social and Cultural Image in the Eyes of Western Travellers' focusing on both Eastern and Maghrebian examples. He noted the importance of employing imagery when addressing events in Islamic history among Muslim communities. Dr Younis Al Numani pointed out that the geographical location of the Sultanate of Oman attracted travellers who documented its way of life, while Dr Khalid Al Qasimi explained that travellers often lacked methodological accuracy. He emphasised that the methodology of travellers differed from that of historians, as they did not always strive for factual accuracy, and their accounts were often shaped by personal beliefs or unreliable sources. Dr Saif Al Badwawi discussed the British survey of the Arab coast, and Dr Ali Afifi examined Western perspectives on food in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula. In a second session under the same title, 'Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers 2', moderated by Dr Saleh Al Luhaibi, Omani researcher Imad Al Bahrani reviewed social aspects of Omani society as recorded in the 1956 travel report by a British consul. Dr George Gregory from Romania shed light on how Arabs and their regions were described in the works of Romanian traveller Panait Istrati. Dr Ali Afifi presented a paper titled 'The Western Travellers' View of Food in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula from the 15th to the Mid-20th Century', while Egyptian researcher Dr Sadiq Jawhar examined representations of Cairo in Western travel literature. Manifestations of Arab Heritage in the Mirror of the Other In the session 'Manifestations of Arab Heritage in the Mirror of the Other', moderated by Mohammed Al Balushi, Dr Maria Boubia presented 'The Arab in the Mirror of Medieval Western Europe'. Dr Massoud Idris from Macedonia, speaking via Zoom, discussed 'Arab Heritage in the Eyes of Balkan Peoples'. Dr Mahmoudou Amin from Mauritania explored 'Food and Medicinal Traditions in Mauritania: A Reading of the Texts of French Travellers and Explorers.' Dr Shakir Nouri from Iraq reviewed the portrayal of Antarah ibn Shaddad Al Absi in the Imagination of Alphonse de Lamartine, while Dr Ali Abdullatif Hamida from Libya, speaking via Zoom, examined the concept of Bedouin life in the writings of Western travellers and anthropologists who visited Tripoli/Libya during the colonial era. Specialised Sessions Enrich Cultural Understanding All sessions were distinguished by a high level of presentation and analysis, exceeding expectations in the depth of input and richness of discussion. This reflects the conference's standing as a leading intellectual platform that enhances cultural dialogue between East and West, while opening new avenues for the study of folk heritage through travel literature and Western writings.
Sharjah 24
18-02-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Academics call for translation of all Western writings on Arab
They stressed the importance of translating all documented writings in this field and making them accessible to Arab researchers to bridge knowledge gaps caused by the scarcity of available information and the limited number of Arabic-documented sources, particularly in historical and heritage studies. This discussion took place during a seminar titled "Arab Cultural Heritage in Western Writings," held at Al Bait Al Gharbi as part of Sharjah Heritage Days. The event featured the participation of Dr. Saif Al Bedwawi, Dr. Ali Afifi, Dr. Masoud Idris, and researcher Ali Ahmed Al-Kindi Al-Marrar, and was moderated by Dr. Mini Bounama, Director of Content and Publishing Department at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage. During his intervention, researcher Ali Ahmed Al-Kindi Al-Marrar stated: "The scarcity of information about a historically significant city like Al-Dhafra, along with the insufficiency of oral traditions and the loss of many contemporary sources, prompted me to explore the writings of Western travelers who visited and documented the city. I have gained valuable insights from their records. While some of these travelers had specific perspectives, the information they left behind is worthy of attention. Through their accounts, we were able to learn about numerous historical landmarks, such as fortresses and watchtowers in the city, which played a key role in preserving much of our heritage from being lost." For his part, Dr. Saif Al Bedwawi discussed the journey of Sir Percy Cox, the British political resident in the Gulf at the time, pointing out that his study of Cox's travels revealed several informational gaps. He noted that the maps recorded during that period did not accurately depict Jebel Hafeet, located near Al-Buraimi, nor did they precisely reference the villages between Al-Buraimi and Dhank or the mountain range between Ibri and Jabrin. Furthermore, he highlighted the absence of any comprehensive surveys of the interior regions of Oman. In his paper titled "The Cultural Heritage of Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula in Western Writings," Dr. Ali Afifi explained that the diverse backgrounds of Western travelers led to variations in their perspectives when documenting the region. He remarked: "Despite the significance of studying their writings, it is crucial to subject them to thorough analysis and scrutiny. Some travelers remain unknown, while others exaggerated their accounts. Meanwhile, certain travelers documented their journeys based on professional circumstances or preconceived notions, which were often inaccurate." He also explored the evolution of Arabic calligraphy and its historical journey. Dr. Masoud Idris, a professor at the University of Sharjah, categorized historical and heritage studies into three distinct periods based on the timeframes in which they were written. The first category includes works written between the 8th and 15th centuries, the second category covers writings from the 15th to 19th centuries, and the third category spans from the 20th century to the present day. He also highlighted the significant role played by German and English scholars in translating the sources of Islamic civilization. Additionally, he emphasized the need to remain vigilant about how historians' perspectives evolve over time when analyzing the same historical period, as their viewpoints are often shaped by shifting intellectual and societal contexts.
